RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT06049888

Does Social Media Impact Adolescent Mental Health?

Causal Effects of Exposure to Social Media on Adolescent Mental Health


Sponsor

Georgetown University

Enrollment

500 participants

Start Date

Sep 29, 2024

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Summary

The mental health of adolescents in the United States has seen a steep decline since 2011, roughly coinciding with the increasing popularity of social media and smartphones. But does social media have a causal impact on the mental health of adolescents or are concerns about the effect of social media on kids a form of public hysteria? In this study, the investigators will conduct the first field experiment in 11-14-year-olds to examine whether, how, and for whom social media harms mental health.


Eligibility

Min Age: 10 YearsMax Age: 14 Years

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

This study explores whether getting a first smartphone affects the mental health of young teenagers. Researchers will follow adolescents over time after they receive their first phone to see if and how social media use influences their wellbeing. **You may be eligible if...** - Your child is between 10 and 14 years old - Your child is about to receive their very first smartphone - Both parents or guardians agree to participate - Your child agrees to participate - Your child reads and speaks English well enough to complete surveys **You may NOT be eligible if...** - Your child has severe developmental challenges (such as severe autism or significant language delays) - Your child has been diagnosed with a moderate or severe mental illness - Your child has ever experienced thoughts of suicide Talk to your doctor to see if this trial is right for you.

This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.

Interested in this trial?

Get notified about updates and connect with the research team.

Interventions

BEHAVIORALRestricted Social Media

Participants (N = 500) will be randomly assigned to either have no study-imposed restrictions on social media use (naturalistic social media condition) or have no access to social media apps on their phones (restricted social media condition). This manipulation will last three months, after which both groups will have no study-imposed restrictions on social media for three more months.


Locations(1)

Georgetown University

Washington D.C., District of Columbia, United States

View Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov

For the most up-to-date information, visit the official listing.

Visit

NCT06049888


Related Trials